Magickal Monday: Your Guide to the Week Ahead -9/03/12

Neptune was running wild through the Republican convention last week, and all the security in the world couldn’t stop it.

Saturn and Jupiter are the planets that we look to for governance — Saturn offering the discipline, organization and infrastructure, while Jupiter provides the legal structure and underlying philosophies and ideals. But politics is not governance, and a candidate’s campaign promises are frequently honored more in the breach than in the observance. Political campaigns use persuasion, illusion, and even glamor to acquire material power — and that’s where Neptune comes in.

Neptune is a planet of transcendence, spirituality, non-physical realities, myths, mysticism, fantasy, fusion, illusion and disillusionment, devotion, utopian ideals, and compassion based in a recognition of ultimate oneness. It speaks in symbol, metaphor, visions and dreams. It rules the oceans, fog, and all things watery, as well as the oceanic depths of the unconscious, and altered states of consciousness. When this expansive and transcendent energy is yoked to the service of Saturn, of material reality, what we frequently end up with are states of delusion, deception, glamour used to manipulate, addiction, confusion, escapism and ambiguity.

Thursday morning, the news was full of Paul Ryan’s acceptance speech the previous evening, and the commentaries on the speech were full of phrases like “profoundly dishonest" "hypocritical" and "appallingly disingenuous”. All those phrases reflect a negative manifestation of Neptune. (The NY Times parses the speech here, and the Atlantic also gives a good overview.)

Taking a look at Ryan’s chart (see it here), we note Neptune prominently placed conjunct the Ascendant, the closest aspect in his chart. It is also inconjunct his natal Mercury (communications) and trine Mars (aspects between Mars and Neptune often denote charisma). At the time of his speech, the transiting North Node was conjunct, and transiting Neptune within one degree of a square to Ryan’s Ascendant-Neptune conjunction. Neptune’s influence was strong indeed.

Mitt Romney has also come under fire for playing fast and loose with the facts (here’s one example). One of his pollsters, challenged on this, went so far as to say that “We are not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers.” Neptune is all about escaping the tyranny of facts and their checkers, and is, of course, active in Romney’s chart as well, both natally and by transit (chart is here). His natal Neptune, at 9 degrees LIbra, is currently being activated by the transiting Uranus-Pluto square, and it is prominent in his chart, because it in aspect to two personal planets and the Midheaven, and is the dispositor of the Sun, Venus and Mars (a dispositor is the planet ruling the sign another planet is in. Neptune rules Pisces, and Romney has his Sun, Mercury and Mars in Pisces). Also, transiting Neptune is closely square Romney’s Ascendant/Descendant axis.

Now let’s take a look at Clint Eastwood’s bizarre speech, which Rachel Maddow called “the weirdest thing I have ever seen at a political convention”. I actually feel a bit sorry for Mr. Eastwood — there are some indications in his chart (which I won’t go into here) that make me think he may be having some issues with age-related cognitive difficulties. And, yes, we find that Neptune is very prominent in Mr. Eastwood’s chart — not at all surprising, as Neptune rules both movies and celebrity. Natally, his Neptune is in 1 degree of Virgo, conjunct his Midheaven, and currently being opposed by transiting Neptune, and also by the Moon at the time of his speech, both of which were opposed by transiting Mercury. Eastwood’s natal Venus-Saturn opposition is also being activated by the Uranus-Pluto square, transiting Saturn opposes his natal Mars. Not a great night for Clint.

The perception of dishonesty and/or vagueness and confusion is always an issue when Neptune is prominent in a chart, or activating a personal planet or point by transit. Given the astrology involved, I think it likely that truth and honesty will continue to be an issue for the Republicans throughout the campaign.

Next week, we’ll see how the Democrats did with their convention, but for now, let’s take a look at our week ahead.

Very early Monday morning (all times ET), Venus squares Saturn, which sets a tone for the day of restraint in both relationships and money. It could also signal anxiety in the markets early in the week. By the time rush hour rolls around, Mars moves into a sextile with Pluto, which could signal some upheaval, particularly with the Moon still in Aries. I suggest you make a point of looking deeper into any challenging situation. Don’t make quick judgements based on surface impressions, and hold tight to your temper. Later in the morning, the Moon makes an itchy aspect (semi-square) to Neptune, and the Sun makes the same aspect with Saturn. Again, stop and think before reacting. Listen to your intuition, but balance it with practical insight before making a decision.

Early Tuesday morning, Mars moves into an inconjunct aspect with Uranus — again, the U-P square is triggered. Hopefully you will sleep through that, and the Moon’s opposition to Saturn, then its square to Venus. These aspects will be on the wane as the business day gets underway, but are still likely to put something of an emotional pall on the day. Do something magickal in the morning to keep the day’s energy flowing towards “calm and happy” for you. If you have an uplifting aromatherapy spray, use it. Wear some VanVan oil, or carry a little “happy” talisman. What, you don’t have a happy talisman? Why not? Being happy is a valid and beneficial magickal goal, and sometimes we need some help finding the bright side. The Moon moves into Taurus around lunchtime, and Mercury trines Pluto, which settles the afternoon energy and opens the way for some in-depth, practical communication.

Wednesday is a good time for communicating your needs and making progress towards a goal, as long as you are careful not to lose your temper.

Thursday the Moon makes more uncomfortable aspects to Uranus and Pluto, and Venus moves into Leo. This is usually great for creative endeavors, and Venus can stimulate Leo’s open-hearted, generous side. She can also devolve into ego and a shallow focus on appearance. Be sure to observe yourself occasionally to make sure your ego is under control and your generosity is showing. She’ll be in Leo for about a month.

Friday, the Moon moves into communicative Gemini for a couple of days. Gemini is great for sharing ideas, not so great when it comes to staying focused. So be sure to use plenty of grounding and centering techniques today. You may want to carry a stone or talisman that will help you ground. Black tourmaline is one stone that works well for this. The square of the Sun in Virgo to Jupiter in Gemini will no doubt enhance the need for grounding. Don’t over-promise, and work to balance necessary attention to detail against the need for clear communication. Remember that too much detail can overwhelm.

Saturday, the Quarter Moon falls almost directly on Jupiter, bringing an optimistic, enthusiastic vibe to the weekend, and later that evening, Mercury squares Jupiter. There’s a wealth of ideas here, but remember that not all ideas can be manifested. Balance frivolity and fun with prudence and focus.

Sunday, the Moon trines Saturn early morning, then moves into Cancer early afternoon, trining Neptune soon after. It’s a great day to magickally enhance your home.

Diotima Mantineia began studying astrology in 1968, taking classes from Zoltan Mason in New York City. For the next 22 years, she practiced astrology only for herself and her friends, continuing her studies while watching an increasingly humanistic, psychologically oriented, modern astrology blossom through the work of leading astrologers such as Noel Tyl, Liz Greene, Rob Hand, Marion March, Stephen Arroyo and Howard Sasportas. In 1986, Diotima began her study of Wicca and started reading Tarot, discovering that she is a gifted intuitive. In 1991, she began practicing both astrology and Tarot professionally. She majored in plant and soil science both in college and grad school, and grows much of her own food and "materia magica" on her land in the mountains of western North Carolina. Diotima’s personal spiritual path is rooted in the Western mystery traditions, the principles of Yoga, and a profound connection with the natural world. Wicca gives structure to her spiritual journey, and she utilizes shamanic practices for healing and to live in harmony with Nature. Over 15 years of studying Chinese martial arts has given her a deep appreciation of Taoist thought which has strongly influenced her magical and personal philosophy. You can find her at www.uraniaswell.com